USMNT fails to qualify to World Cup, falls to Trinidad & Tobago

The United States men’s national team failed to qualify to next summer’s FIFA World Cup in Russia after falling 2-1 to Trinidad & Tobago on Tuesday at Port of Spain.

The Soca Warriors took the lead in the 17th minute when a cross from Alvin Jones ricocheted off Omar Gonzalez for an own-goal. Trinidad doubled its lead when Jones struck a ball from 40-yard out past Tim Howard in the 37th minute.

Christian Pulisic cut T&T’s lead in the 47th minute, but that was much it for the Yanks, who relied on the other games between Honduras-Mexico and Panama-Costa Ric.

Honduras beat Mexico 3-2 on the same night, but it was Panama’s late-game heroics from Roman Torres that led Los Canaleros to a 2-1 victory over Costa Rica and punched their ticket to the World Cup.

Here are the final CONCACAF World Cup qualifying Hex standings:

Mexico, 21 points

Costa Rica, 16 points

Panama, 13 points

Honduras*, 13 points

United States, 12 points

Trinidad & Tobago 6 points

*Will play Australia in playoff to determine final World Cup spot.

(Photo by Brandon Connelly / Orlando Soccer Journal)

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